Buck Knives has earned its stellar reputation through the skilled artistry of its craftsmen and the unassailable durability of its knives.
In short, they make quality blades that last for generations.
On this page, we’ll review 5 of the best Buck Knives. Whether your hunting, camping or wanting something with more of a tactical feel for EDC, you’ll find it here.
5 of the Best Buck Knives for 2020
| Knife | Image | Details | Price | Our Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Buck Knives 110  |   | Total = 8.62" Blade = 3.75" 420 HC 8oz Leather Sheath | $$ | Read Our Review! |
Buck Knives 119 Special |   | Total = 10.5" Blade = 6" 420 HC 7.5 oz Leather Sheath | $$$$ | Read Our Review! |
Buck Knives 680 CSAR-T  |   | Total = 6.75" Blade = 3" 420 HC 1.7 oz Kydex Sheath | $$ | Read Our Review! |
Buck Knives 0537RWS  |   | Total = 8.25" Blade = 4.5" S30v 5.2 oz Leather Sheath | $$$$ | Read Our Review! |
Buck Knives 112BRS  |   | Total = 7.25" Blade = 3" 420 HC 4.6 oz Leather Sheath | $$ | Read Our Review! |
History of Buck Knives
Buck Knives traces its roots back to 1902 when a young blacksmith’s apprentice named Hoyt Buck made his first knives. At just 13 years old he developed a unique heat treatment process. The process significantly extended the edge retention of stainless steel blades.
But the Buck Knives company really got its start at the beginning of WWII. Hoyt Buck became aware of a shortage of knives among G.I.’s and quickly set up a knife shop in his church’s basement to do his part. After the war, he took the equipment and volunteers he had amassed and began producing knives commercially.
In 1949 his son, Al Buck, took over operations and began expanding. Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s Buck became one of the world’s most prolific knife makers. It was during this period that the famous Buck 110 and 112 knives first made their appearance. They quickly became cultural icons and their ownership a de-facto right-of-passage for many Americans.
Buck Knives Still Among The Best
Today, Buck Knives is a modern knife maker. They have a wide line of products from tactical weapons to skinning knives to large, fixed blade survival knives. But they all have a few things in common – superb craftsmanship and unshakeable durability. You can find cheaper knives but you’d be hard pressed to find anything of higher quality.
Buck Knives is one of the very few companies in the world who offer a blanket Forever Warranty on all of their products. That’s means if the Buck knife your grandfather gave you breaks, just send it in and Buck Knives will repair it free of charge.
Buck Knife Reviews
Here are our reviews for the best Buck knives on the market today. Many of these are decades old designs with millions of hours of real-world use. They’re perfect if you’re looking for a well-made, beautiful knife that you can keep in your family for generations.
Buck 110 Folding Hunting Knife Review
The Buck Knives 110 Famous Folding Hunter Knife is the standard bearer of hunting knives. When it’s locked out, the Buck 110 is as sturdy as a fixed blade knife. There were probably more Buck 110s in Vietnam than any other civilian knife.
The blade is forged of 420 steel. Combined with the Paul Bos heat process, that means the blade not only stays sharp but is close to indestructible. The blade also sharpens quite readily and forms a razor-like edge.
The 110 has been the go-to cleaning and dressing implement for hunters across generations. It can skin everything from a squirrel to a Kodiak bear without a hitch. This is a true hunter’s knife.
It comes with a handle finished in beautiful Dymandwood. And the bowed shape allow for an unbreakable grip. The knife comes with a real leather sheath that attaches to belts.
The 110 does make limited use of brass plating which can tarnish and dent. While that may be unsightly after decades of use, the overall durability of this knife is not in question.
With so many knockoffs and Chinese no-name products floating around today, it’s nice to know this knife is still made in the USA.
Forever Warranty
Buck Knives is perhaps one of the only companies in the world to offer a genuine forever warranty. That means if your great grandfather’s Buck Knife was damaged just send it in. They’ll fix it free of charge. No company could offer such a thing unless their products were as durable as stone.
One thing you may hear from new users is that the blade seems difficult to open and close. In my experience, it’s simply a matter of getting used to it.
The Buck Knife 110 has been the pocket knife choice for generations of American dads, soldiers and hunters. You can find the latest price here.
Pros
- Beautiful Dymandwood handle
- Leather sheath
- Made in USA
- 420 HC steel
- Ultimate durability
- Forever warranty
Cons
- Can be hard to close
Buck Knives 119 Special Review
Buck knives don’t only make folders, they also make some pretty mean folders too. The Buck 119 is designed for cutting, skinning and evisceration. It’s drop point blade make it excellent for hunting and dressing game.
Buck usually fit out their blades with 420HC steel. There is a cheaper 119 available with 420 HC steel, but the “Special” has high-grade 5160 HC steel.
This causes a bit of a trade-off. With good heat treatment (and Paul Bos at Buck is legendary!) 5160 is more durable and will hold an edge significantly longer than 420 HC steel. However, 420 is stainless so you don’t need to prevent it from rusting. But you will probably need to sharpen the 5160 HC less.
The Buck 119 special’s handle is made of cocobolo wood and brass. It’s not only visually stunning but feels incredibly good in the hand. The craftsmanship is such that you can scarcely detect a seam where metal meets wood. The prominent guard and pommel are both polished brass and the handle has two subtle grooves for fingers.
The 119 comes with a leather sheath. The sheath can be attached to a belt or stored in a bag.
The overall beauty of this knife is remarkable. The 119 is as well suited to a collectors display case as it is to the deep woods. And as with all Buck knives, the 119 is made right here in the USA. With every purchase you aren’t just supporting real American jobs, you’re receiving real American quality.
One downside with this knife is that it comes with a rough ground edge, not a mirror edge. Although typically what you get out of the box is close to razor-sharp.
The Buck Knives 119 is an excellent all-purpose knife that will rise to any challenge and last a lifetime. You can find the latest price here.
Pros
- Leather sheath
- 420HC steel
- Full tang
- Beautiful craftsmanship
- Easy to sharpen
- Made in USA
Cons
- Comes with rough ground edge
Buck Knives 680 Liaison Tactical Knife Review
The Buck 680 Liaison is a superb knife that will keep you safe and serve as a useful tool in the field as well.
The 680 Liaison is designed to be easily concealed and carried without notice. The thin Kydex sheath can be secreted inside a boot, around the neck or on a belt. It’s ultra lightweight so you won’t even notice you’re wearing it. The pommel also features a hex hole and the knife itself is Molle compatible.
Like all Buck products, the 680 tactical knife is 100% American made.
One complaint you may hear from those with larger hands is that the 680 Liaison is quite small even for a tactical knife. But this knife was built for concealment and stealth carry and the size reflects that goal.
Pros
- Skeletal handle with hex hole
- 3 inch 420HC steel blade
- Ultra lightweight
- M.O.L.L.E compatible
- Wearable around neck or in boot
- Extremely durable
Cons
- Quite small
Buck Knives Open Season Skinner Knife Review
The Buck Knives Open Season Skinner is among the most capable hunting knives money can buy.
It’s an unusually beautiful knife. The rosewood handle is contoured and grooved for easier handling. It also features a full tang that extends to the butt of the handle. This durable configuration combined with the hard S30V steel blade make this one of the longest lasting knives you’ll find.
It also comes with a real leather sheath that can be attached to a belt or carried separately. And like all Buck products, the Open Season Skinner is made in the USA.
Some users with larger hands note that this is a smaller design. But for skinning, smaller is often better due to increased maneuverability.
All said, the Buck Skinner is among the finest hunting knives on the market. You can find the latest online price here.
Pros
- S30V steel blade
- Built for skinning game
- Rosewood handle
- Sharp out of box
- Full tang
- Leather sheath
Cons
- Slightly small for large hands
Buck Knives 112 Ranger Lockback Folding Knife
The Buck Knives 112 Ranger is a smaller version than the 110. It’s 3″ blade makes it perfect for a EDC / every day carry knife.
The 420 HC steel used in the blade is a nice compromise between extreme hardness and ease of sharpening. 420 HC is the Buck Knives standard and has been proven over decades for both edge retention and easy honing. Unlike some harder steels, just a short moment on the grind wheel is plenty to sharpen a Buck 420 HC blade.
This knife also comes with a durable leather sheath. The sheath can be either attached to a belt or carried separately.
If you have extra-large hands you might find the Buck 110 more suitable. However, if you’re looking for a reliable U.S Made folding knife with great steel, you can depend on the Buck 112.
It’s also available for a really great price, given its heritage.
Pros
- Grooved wood grain handle
- 420HC steel blade
- Leather sheath
- Very easy to sharpen
- Very solid feel
- Razor sharp out of box
Cons
- Smaller version of 110